Double Take

[littlesally]

My daughter was recommended by a friend to ‘Double Take’ photograph people, where they make you up for free, then take great photo’s and charge the earth for them.
She arranged to do it, for the pampering bit, maybe one photo but no more as money is tight.

Anyway, as she would be going with a friend she told them she could not book a date until she had checked with them. Double Take said that was okay, they would book her in but she could change the date when she got all the paperwork through and knew when she could come.
They took a £2. payment by card over the phone.

It took two weeks for the paperwork to come through and in it it said that anyone wishing to cancel or change dates had to do it within 7 days of the booking or would be liable to £125. charge! This was the first she had heard of it.

She phoned them and explained the situation, that she had never intended on coming on the given date, but the sales person said that was fine. This person was insistent that if she could not come on the arranged date then the cancellation fee would apply. My daughter said there was no way she could make the date, so the woman said well it’s a cancellation then.
15 minutes later she went to the bank and £125 had been taken out!!

What can she do?
Surely this is not right?
Basically she has worked all week so they can take £125. For doing nothing
Sally x

[BBB]

Re: Double Take

Contact the bank and report an unauthorised transaction has been taken from the account. She only authorised a payment of £2 after all.

[littlesally]

Re: Double Take

Is it that simple?
I can't believe it, she was thinking she would have to spend hours at the CAB and involve the police (if they would get involved).
Will the bank take the money back from Double Take?
If that is right BBB that will be amazing,
Sally xx

[Guest]

Re: Double Take

This is good advice, although sadly it may not be that simple. What kind of card did she pay with, a Debit card or a Credit card? Given that you say she checked at the bank, I would imagine it was a Debit card. In this case, she may have more of a struggle, but nevertheless, her first port of call should be her bank. If they do not refund the charge at once, we can advise further.

[BBB]

Re: Double Take

Littlesally, it is the first step she will need to take to start off the process. If the bank are happy that she did not authorise the transaction then they can get the money back into your daughters account, though it will take a few days for this process to happen.

As Cetelco said, if the bank won't play ball then we can consider the next course of action, but get her to phone her bank and register it as an unauthorised transaction as a starter for 10.

[littlesally]

Re: Double Take

Bank have told her to come in to talk to them, so hoping it will go well.
Yes, debit card. Barclays bank btw.
How can anyone prove the amount that they say can be taken with a debit card? It concerns me that any amount of money can be taken any amount of times. There is no proof that you said they could or if they are stealing. I don't understand how this works and why it is very rare for me to pay with a card over the phone.
She also incurred charges as a direct debit went out, but the money wasn't there cos Double Take had taken it!!
Sally x

[littlesally]

Re: Double Take

The bank put a stop on the payment reaching 'Double Take' so it is back in her account.
Because the payment left her account she has probably incurred two charges but the woman has written a note explaining the situation and told my daughter to ring in a couple of days as the charges aren't showing yet.
She did say that if Double Take try again to take the money they will have to pay it, as she gave her account details to them which is a guarentee to pay. The fact that they are taking more than she agreed is for her to take up with them. She argued that as the bank work for her not them, and she is saying for the bank not to pay surely they should take notice of her. Double Take can then take any 'non-payment' up with her.
The woman said that she can understand what my daughter is saying but repeated giving her details is a guarentee to pay.
She never will again!
Sally xx

[BBB]

Re: Double Take

Sally,

That's a start, but has your daughter got this in writing? I ask because it seems bizarre that Barclays are saying that by giving your details that anyone can then effectively take what they want. If that is the case what is there to stop Tescos from taking £50 from my account when I have bought £10 of groceries, agreed the transaction in the store and then they decide that they want to take a bigger amount? Going by what the bank are saying they can do this

[littlesally]

Re: Double Take

I know, I really don't understand all this at all.
It was me who spoke to them as Kya was really upset and I asked how they justified paying out when they've been told not to and all the woman would say was that giving her bank details to someone makes her liable. She said it in a tone that suggested that my daughter was in the wrong! I said that anyone buying something over the phone or internet does this and she replied 'then they are liable for whatever money is taken'.
I will go in to the bank with her to queery this, as Double Take took one payment of £2 with her permission, so how many more transactions will they allow them to take because of that one agreement? It could go on forever.
Lucrative business!! And Barclays seem to say they carry on even when told to stop.
Totally baffled by this,
Sally xx

[Guest]

Re: Double Take

In order to stop Double Take being able to take any money, your daughter must cancel that debit card and apply for a new one.

[BBB]

Re: Double Take

As Double Take have already taken the £2 that was authorised, I think it would be an idea to write to Barclays and to advise them that your daughter only authorised that transaction and no others and that all other transactions have been taken fraudulently. And as Cetelco said, state that you want a new debit card with a new card number because of the unauthorised and fraudulent transaction that was taken. Also advise Barclays that if they fail to follow your instructions on the fraudulent transactions and they allow Double Take to take the money again that you will hold them negligent in allowing a fraudulent transaction to take place.

[littlesally]

Re: Double Take

She cancelled the card a few days ago but the bank seem to think that if Double Take re-ask for the money they will have to pay.
Will tell her to write a letter with the above and take it in by hand,
Sally xx

[BBB]

Re: Double Take

It might also be worth writing to Double Take and advise them that you are removing the right for them to process any personal data held by them under the Data Protection Act and to dispose of it all immediately, including all account details held by them. And also advise them that the card has been cancelled and if they attempt to claim a payment on a cancelled card that it will be reported to the police as fraud.

[StoneLaughter]

Re: Double Take

Unfortunately due to another inspired move by our treasured "Government", only the banks can report Debit Card Fraud to the Police. If a consumer tries to, the Police will refer them to their card issuer. :-(

[littlesally]

Re: Double Take

Unfortunately due to another inspired move by our treasured "Government", only the banks can report Debit Card Fraud to the Police. If a consumer tries to, the Police will refer them to their card issuer. :-(

Oh ffs!! That is nuts, I am gobsmacked.
Banks are really bad with involving the police. We went through hell when my other daughter had money stolen from her account. The bank and police didn't link up at all,
Sally xx